The launching of the central celebration of the Arab Day for Children with Disabilities in Damascus

The eleventh celebration of the Arab Day for Children with Disabilities kicked off today on the stage of Al-Hamra Theater in Damascus. 

The central celebration annually held by the Directorate of Child Culture at the Ministry of Culture, which will last until the seventh of this month, included honoring the winners of the literary and artistic competitions for the year 2022. 

In a press statement, the Minister of Culture, Dr. Labana Mashouh, indicated that there are several framework programs in the ministry, including the framework program (My disability is my strength), which is related to building children’s thoughts and personality. 

The Director of Child Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Malak Yassin, stated that the celebration came with the aim of conveying a message of love and proving their ability to overcome the disability that did not prevent them from achieving their aspirations, and expressing their capabilities. 

The director of the “Miral” group and the director of the work, Muhammad Traboulsi, considered that working with this group of children is very special and enjoyable. 

He added that the show is based on real stories of the participating children, translated into a theatrical text that embodies their hopes and their own world. 

Sign language expert in Syria and the Arab world, Hilda Tanta, pointed out that her experience with deaf children began about 25 years ago, in addition to her work as a trainer for school and theatrical activities. 

She added that there were minor difficulties at the beginning such as communicating with them, and teaching them some movements, but they proved their worth by overcoming all difficulties. 

While the young woman, Rola Tahmaz, said about her experience with children with disabilities: “These children take us to another world full of fun, interest and positive energy.” 

The 15-year-old, Sham Al-Khidr, expressed her happiness at being honored, considering it an important opportunity to prove the ability to challenge and reach what she seeks to achieve.

As for Sham’s mother, she referred to the talents that her daughter possesses, which enabled her to win first places since 2017, as she participates in literary competitions. 

Iyada Issa, the mother of the child, Hadi Ali, drew attention to the suffering that deaf children are exposed to from bullying around them, as a result of ignorance in dealing with them in sign language. 

She noted the importance of these theatrical participations to raise their morale.

It is noteworthy that the parallel festivities will start tomorrow for two days in the governorates, and include singing and dancing, theatrical paintings, folk arts, shadow theater performances, drawing and origami workshops, and art exhibitions, in addition to honoring the winners of artistic and literary competitions.

Inas Abdulkareem